Interplay of primed macrophages with smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in atherogenesis (A07)

• Subject Area: Cardiology, Angiology
• Term: since 2014
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 238187445

Atherosclerosis is accelerated by clonal hematopoiesis and remote inflammatory events like myocardial infarction, although the underlying mechanisms of this interrelation are not well understood. In the previous funding period, we found that SMCs regulate the functional properties of macrophages. Therefore, this project will address the consequences of clonal hematopoiesis and remote cardiac injury on SMC-macrophage interactions. This will provide new insights into the mechanisms of accelerated atherosclerosis with the aim to develop new therapeutic approaches for this high-risk population.

• DFG Programme: Collaborative Research Centres
• Subproject of: SFB 1123: Atherosclerosis: Mechanisms and Networks of Novel Therapeutic Targets
• Applicant Institution: Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München
• Project Heads: Professor Dr. Steffen Massberg, until 6/2018; Professor Dr. Christian Schulz; Privatdozent Dr. Konstantin Stark